Kuranda

Colourful, quirky Kuranda in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest has daily markets and a quaint main street lined with shops and galleries as well as wildlife experiences perfect for close encounters.

The village in the rainforest has earned a reputation as the arts and crafts nexus of Tropical North Queensland and is a popular destination in conjunction with journeys on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Kuranda's cool, tropical mountain climate makes it ideal for rainforest walks along the Barron River, or around the village itself where majestic fig trees are home to yellow fig birds and colourful parrots.

Drive or take a shuttle bus through a tunnel of green rainforest along Barron Falls Road to see the spectacular Barron Gorge and its mighty waterfall which powers a hydro-electric station.

For keen walkers the Barron Gorge National Park offers short and long walks accessible from Wrights Lookout and the Speewah Conservation Park campground.

Experience Aboriginal culture, visit a gallery with local Indigenous art or learn to play the didgeridoo.

Surround yourself with colourful butterflies, listen to a noisy chorus of birds, cuddle a koala, get up close to Australia's unique creatures or hang about with a bat at one of the wildlife exhibits in the heart of Kuranda.